bacampicillin Health Article

Generic name(s):

bacampicillin

Brand name(s):

Spectrobid

What is the most important information I should know about bacampicillin?

Take all of the bacampicillin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may begin to improve before the infection is completely treated. Bacampicillin may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use a second method of birth control while taking bacampicillin to ensure protection from unintended pregnancy.

What is bacampicillin?

Bacampicillin is an antibiotic in the class of drugs called penicillins. It fights bacteria in the body.

Bacampicillin is used to treat many different types of infections, such as tonsillitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, and infections of the skin.

Bacampicillin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking bacampicillin?

If you have ever had an allergic reaction to another penicillin or to a cephalosporin, do not take bacampicillin without first talking to your doctor.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, stomach or intestinal disease, or infectious mononucleosis. You may not be able to take bacampicillin because of an increased risk of side effects.

If you are a diabetic, some glucose urine tests may give false positive results while you are taking bacampicillin.

Bacampicillin is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not, however, take bacampicillin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Bacampicillin passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby, although it is not expected to be harmful. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take bacampicillin?

Take bacampicillin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Bacampicillin can be taken with or without food.

Bacampicillin should be taken at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night to keep the medicine level in your blood high enough to treat the infection.

Take all of the bacampicillin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.

It is important to take bacampicillin regularly to get the most benefit.

Store the tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

If you have only missed one dose, take the rest of the scheduled doses for the day at evenly spaced intervals.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

Symptoms of an bacampicillin overdose include muscle spasms or weakness, pain or twitching, pain in the fingers or toes, loss of feeling in the fingers or toes, seizures, confusion, coma, and agitation.

What should I avoid while taking bacampicillin?

Alcohol may irritate the stomach if taken with bacampicillin, so use it with moderation.